Page 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

G wil had been expecting the summons to help Robin Flint. Solivatus had said it would only be a matter of days and Hyax had told him about James’s unexpected arrival—if he’d known they were going to have a fae king in the living room he might’ve run a vacuum around. Still, despite knowing they would be expected, it didn’t make sitting in a parlour at Crofton Hall any less intimidating. Hyax looked indifferent, although Gwil noticed he’d worn his new Gucci shirt and a pair of jeans that made Gwil whimper when he bent over, plus a selection of fae jewellery that would rival anything in the human world. Whether that was to remind him of how sexy his boyfriend was in front of his sire or to advertise he was as rich and as important as the owners of the house was debatable.

“For fuck’s sake, Gwil, stop pacing,” Hyax snapped. “You weren’t like this at the wedding, why are you acting like a nervous schoolboy on his first date?”

He’d been unable to sit and wait, he wasn’t used to the kind of scrutiny they would get from the attention of such senior vampires. Hyax had never had to worry about his social status, never had to navigate the risk of saying the wrong thing and being ostracized with no chance of escaping mediocrity. Gwil wasn’t quite the bottom rung of vampire society, but he didn’t like the idea of being put under the spotlight of those who could make his existence miserable if he fucked up.

“I need to make a good impression. I’m not exactly important to this lot.”

“You were invited alongside me, so that makes you as important as I am.” Hyax rolled his eyes. “Remember they are asking for our help—not the other way around. And I couldn’t perform any of the spells James has suggested if it wasn’t for you.”

He’d helped other members of the Vampire Council before, and he couldn’t say they’d been particularly grateful, and had taken ages to pay his bill. “I don’t suppose anyone mentioned paying us for this, did they?”

“King James asked for my help, he said he was grateful, that means more than monetary payment.”

Times like this he really missed breathing so he could let loose a massive sigh. “Not sure I can use a fairy king’s thanks to pay the electricity bill.” His water use had gone through the roof as well when Hyax had moved in—the man could shower for hours.

“Are you short of money?”

They’d not discussed financials, he didn’t have a mortgage on the property, but there’d been moving costs and business expenses that had depleted his savings, not to mention paranormal clients weren’t known for their propensity to pay on time. He’d never had a head for money like many of his peers and Gwil didn’t have the spare cash to invest in the sort of projects and products that had made some millionaires. “Not short exactly.”

“We’ll talk when we get home. I have plenty of money. You should have said.”

He wasn’t broke and he didn’t want Hyax thinking he needed bailing out, but there was nothing wrong with having a budget. “I’m not with you for your money.”

“I know that, and you’re not a gold-digger by asking me to pay for the utilities we both use.”

Yet another conversation to be had—they seemed to be stacking up big topics for discussion. Gwil wasn’t exactly avoiding them however, what he wanted was to find a few quiet days to crawl under a duvet and have Hyax fuck his brains out so he wouldn’t need to think. The situation with Metra and now being called into this shit with Robin Flint had left him wanting to retreat and hide, or at least get a bit of reassurance from his boyfriend while he had his meltdown.

A cloud of black smoke appeared in front of them and a man dressed in a three-piece tweed suit materialised, complete with a pair of curly, highly polished horns. “Gentleman, my apologies for not greeting you earlier but I was dealing with our other guests. I am Karl Vinter, Lord Crofton’s valet.”

“You’re a demon,” Hyax said, recoiling.

“Correct, Your Highness. Level three, pushing for four hopefully in a few years.”

Gwil didn’t know a lot about demons, they were not high on the trustworthy scale but then neither did they usually go into service. He seemed to recall Lord Crofton having an elf as a secretary. He’d given his blood for a potion Hyax had made that Gwil had drunk and he remembered a throwaway comment about a demon valet. Hyax had called bullshit, but it seemed Flume had been telling the truth. Flume not lying might be the greatest revelation today.

Hyax had been researching the spells James had suggested but hadn’t yet narrowed down their options and said he’d explain everything once he knew what he needed to do. He got the distinct impression he didn’t want Gwil changing his mind and had said one of them might have blowjobs involved, which was a huge positive in Gwil’s opinion.

“Now, if you wouldn’t mind following me, Mr Flint is waiting.”

“We’re going to see Robin Flint?” Gwil said, having not been sure if he’d get an introduction, as it was Hyax who they wanted to perform magic and Gwil could be described as equipment if someone was being uncharitable.

“Yes, Mr Hilt,” Karl said

He’d survived Robin Flint’s wedding by sticking close to Hyax and being ignored by important people and he’d not spoken to Robin Flint or anyone else from the House of Hewel. Somehow, he hadn’t factored in having to deal with a man who was responsible for most of the biggest names in Hollywood and was the future Dark Viscount Whetford.

Hyax grabbed Gwil’s hand. “Lead the way, Mr Vinter. Gwil will get his shit together as we walk.”

“Just so you’re fully informed, as well as Mr Flint, there’s a gentleman called Solivatus with him.”

Hyax squeezed his hand and Gwil yelped at the pain. “Ow!”

“Sorry, your sire brings out the worst in me.”

“You know how I feel. There’s no need to overreact.”

“I do. And I feel the same.” Hyax’s smile was soft and if they weren’t about to speak to two of the most important vampires in the country, if not the world, he’d have snogged Hyax silly. “I’ll do better. Promise.”

They followed Karl down the hallway. Crofton Hall was a lovely place. Gwil hadn’t expected anything less, since he understood the manor had been Sebastian Hewel’s home at one point, and when it came to important fangs, he beat even Robin Flint and Solivatus. They were shown into a reception room where Robin and Solivatus were waiting. He’d seen Robin at the wedding, but only from afar. He was an attractive bloke, the sort who could have whoever they wanted, and his reputation was that he wasn’t short of company. Gwil had been surprised he’d got married to begin with. Vampire marriages between the Houses weren’t done for love and most people would predict Robin would be back to his normal ways before long. Gwil might be a little sensitive because Hyax had said that Robin and Simon had some special bond, but he didn’t think he was mistaken in the way Robin was more than just appreciative of Hyax as he looked him up and down. Hyax was fucking gorgeous, and it was no surprise he got the attention he received. When Robin saw him there was the ever-present expression of disbelief Gwil had become accustomed to seeing since publicly dating Hyax. He wasn’t exactly prince consort material.

“Prince Hyax and Mr Gwilym Hilt,” Karl announced.

“Please call me Hyax,” Hyax said, holding out his hand to shake, which Robin did.

Gwil wasn’t cowed per se, more a bit starstruck by Robin being who he was. He also knew his place in vampire society, and he would act accordingly. “Mr Flint,” he said while bowing his head. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d prefer to be called Gwil.”

Robin shook his hand. “There’s no need for the formality, Gwil. You may both call me Robin. I can only thank you for your willingness to help bring Simon home.”

Hyax sat and Gwil waited for his cue from Solivatus when he took the place next to Hyax. He saw Solivatus nod, acknowledging Gwil’s deference to his sire in front of Robin. Hyax would just have to deal with it, and to Gwil’s surprise Hyax managed to keep his expression neutral, which was a definite improvement.

“Solivatus has explained to me about the bond you have with Simon,” Hyax said, without a hint of a barb. “I have also had some written discussions with Her Majesty Queen Hylei, so I can comprehend how special your connection is.”

Hyax had told him he wasn’t going to mention King James’s visit. He hadn’t wanted his mother getting wind of their interaction and he also didn’t think it was something the vampires needed to have the details about.

“I must admit I still don’t see how you can help but Simon’s parents can’t,” Robin said, echoing his and Hyax’s original thoughts.

“Because while Queen Hylei is pure fae, King James is not pure vampire and, as such, he can’t use a branch of magic that I can with my betrothed,” Hyax smiled fondly at Gwil. “It is an additional benefit Gwil and I have recently discovered.”

Hyax had been interested in using their connection again, helping Robin was a nice excuse to do so, although the technicalities were lost on Gwil as his eye’s tended to glaze over when Hyax started on magic theory. He was happy to sit back and let Hyax suck his cock in the pursuit of magical science.

Robin wrinkled his nose. “How did you come across this knowledge?”

Robin hadn’t achieved his success by rushing in without testing the waters. He didn’t know them, they might have come recommended by other important people but trust between vampires was relative. Gwil suspected he wasn’t used to going cold into a situation and anything he could glean would help.

“Gwil and I were investigating the theft of an important fae artefact and Tobias Flume, a well-connected individual in his own right, showed me a way to help. It came from a volume in his personal library, and he shared several others.”

“That seems a bit too altruistic for the Tobias Flume I know,” Robin drawled.

He should have known Robin would have been aware of Flume, and he had a fair point since Flume had helped only because it had suited him, which was pretty much standard for most vamps.

“I’ve taken a number of cases for him over the years,” Gwil said. “The fae object had been stolen by a group of rogue elves and they were up to no good, so he was keen to support.”

“I appear to have an elf problem too.”

For all the talk of a bond, Gwil hadn’t been sure what Robin’s feelings for Simon were, but he did appear shaken at the thought of his husband being in the hands of the elves. They were horrible bastards and even if it were an arranged marriage, no one deserved that fate.

Hyax shook his head. “If the elves had Simon, then you’d have found him by now. I believe Lord Crofton’s secretary is an elf—they have a way of tracking each other. A bit like the fae. None of it technically legal, but that wouldn’t stop him if he’d been able.”

Robin appeared sceptical. “But you think you can?”

“I don’t know. At a minimum, I should be able to use the bond from your end to try and tether you back together, even for a few minutes. If we’re lucky then I might be able to follow the bond to where he is, but I’m not sure that will work.”

Robin leant forwards, his eyes shining with a sense of hope Gwil hadn’t seen until now. “If I can speak to him, then he can tell me where he is.”

“Maybe. But that will depend on where and how he is being held. First things first is to confirm he’s alive, as we’re making the assumption that he’s being kept for his magic.”

Hyax’s consultations with Simon’s mother had led him to the conclusion that, because Simon hadn’t fed from Robin and transitioned into his full vampire state, he could be being used like a battery, his magic syphoned off to be used by someone else.

Hyax hadn’t wanted to give false hope but would do all he could to help, and Gwil knew he’d try his best and would be disappointed if he couldn’t.

“When can we try?” Robin asked.

“I can cast now and see the state of the bond, but then I’ll need to determine the next steps, whether it would need a tailored spell or potion, so that will depend on what I find.”

Solivatus stood. “Why don’t me and Gwil leave you to do this bit?”

Hyax’s eyes flashed gold. Gwil didn’t want to leave with Solivatus, but he was being put in an awkward position between his lover and his sire. He didn’t think Solivatus would want to do anything more than talk, but Hyax’s insecurities were at a peak at the moment.

“You can go, Solivatus,” Hyax said, his tone even. He really was trying. “But I’d rather Gwil remain, because of his involvement in the procedure..”

“It might be better if Gwil stays, he can give me some insights on the vampire side that Hyax can’t,” Robin said.

Robin was an astute man, he’d picked up on the tension in the room and come to Hyax’s assistance—wise, given it was him who would be able to help Robin now, not Solivatus.

Solivatus chuckled. “All right then. Gwil can catch me up later. I’m sure he’ll be willing to make some time for his sire.”

Gwil inched closer to Hyax, aiming to reassure him without being too obvious. Solivatus was deliberately trying to rattle Hyax and he wasn’t sure why. He usually didn’t give a shit what Gwil did.

“Have you two known each other long?” Robin asked once Solivatus had gone.

Hyax smiled, and Gwil melted a little inside. “More than fifteen years. First as business partners, and then recently we both realised we wanted more and were parallel-pining like idiots.”

Robin laughed. Gwil didn’t think many people got to see this softer side of Robin Flint.

“I understand your marriage was arranged but the bond has probably added an extra element, and we can use that,” Hyax said.

“It was arranged,” Robin said. “But I feel more for him than I can express. Losing Simon, not being able to reach out and hold him, makes me feel like I’m being pulled apart. I need to get him home.”

There weren’t many times when Gwil would admit to being genuinely surprised. He considered himself far too old and sceptical, but hearing Robin speak about his husband was one of them. He’d assumed the bond might draw Robin and Simon together, most likely in the shagging-like-rabbits way, but as an arranged marriage, it would be more akin to a business deal than a love match, and once the lust passed, they’d skip off into different sunsets. Magic could do strange things to people, though Gwil wouldn’t put it past the bond to be making Robin feel so devoted. If that were the case, he’d have thought them being apart would have made the attraction wane and that didn’t seem to be the case. Hyax would be able to tell and Gwil was becoming more intrigued by the minute. Maybe Robin really was in love with Simon, and Gwil needed to stop being a cynical old bum boil.